Sexual infections on the rise among children, stats show

Cases of children aged 15 or younger being diagnosed with Chlamydia has risen markedly over the past four years, it has been revealed.

According to new figures relating to the sexual health of UK youngsters obtained by the Liberal Democrats, the number of ten-to-15-year-olds being diagnosed with the condition in Scotland grew by 27 per cent from 249 to 318 between 2004 and 2008.

At the same time, similar increases were seen in cases of youngsters suffering from other sexually transmitted conditions such as gonorrhoea and genital warts.

Commenting on these latest figures, the Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland called for schools to step up their efforts to teach children about sex and relationships.

Spokeswoman Catherine Murray said: "We need to accept that having a legal age of consent will not stop some young people from having sex; what we can do is make sure that those who do are equipped with all the information they need to protect themselves and their partners from STIs and unwanted pregnancy."

It is currently estimated that as many as one in ten young people are infected with Chlamydia, which can lead to infertility if left untreated.